Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit President Trump at the White House on November 18, marking his first Washington visit of the president’s second term. The high-profile meeting underscores the administration’s ongoing commitment to American leadership in the Middle East and to forging strong alliances that protect U.S. interests.
Often referred to by his initials, MBS, the crown prince last visited the White House over seven years ago. The two leaders reconnected in May, when President Trump embarked on a four-day Middle East tour aimed at strengthening economic partnerships, bringing stability to the region, and curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
During the upcoming meeting, Trump and MBS are expected to review key agreements made earlier this year, focusing on military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and regional security. Two sources told CBS News that the White House is planning a formal signing event, though final details remain under discussion.
In recent months, the administration finalized a defense pact with Qatar, pledging to treat any attack on the Gulf ally as a threat to the United States—an agreement that reflects Trump’s America-first approach to global stability through strength. Saudi Arabia is reportedly seeking a similar defense pact, signaling confidence in the president’s tough but steady diplomacy.
President Trump has consistently shown admiration for the Saudi leader, who was the first foreign dignitary Trump called upon returning to the Oval Office in January 2025. Their relationship dates back to 2017, when Saudi Arabia became the first country Trump visited as president.
“He has called the Saudi leader ‘wise beyond his years,’” one report noted. During their May meeting in Riyadh, President Trump described the U.S.-Saudi alliance as “a bedrock of security and prosperity.”
